Fashion Passion, Looking Up To Didier Drogba & Bond with Hamilton

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The Football Interview constitutes an innovative program where leading personalities from athletics and entertainment participate with presenter the interviewer for frank and detailed dialogues about football.

We'll explore mental approach and motivation, covering defining moments, career highlights and personal reflections. This series reveals the individual beyond the player.

Reece James started practicing with Chelsea at six years old and - having progressed through the academy and into the senior squad - is now team leader.

James announced himself to the Stamford Bridge faithful in style, scoring on his first appearance in a 7-1 victory over Grimsby Town in September 2019.

Now 25, his professional achievements so far include earning his England debut against Wales in the year 2020, winning the European Cup with Chelsea in 2021, and being named team skipper in 2023.

Nevertheless, his journey hasn't been without challenges, with a series of injuries impacting him over recent years.

James sat down with Kelly Somers to talk about his professional peaks, the Brazilian's impact, and his relationship with multiple Formula One title winner the racing driver.

Kelly Somers: First question: identity, where you're from, and your preferred coffee?

Reece James: I am Reece James, I grew up in Mortlake, near Richmond - I expect many will know that location. My coffee is a flat white.

The host: Was it consistently a that particular coffee?

Reece: Not exactly, it started with, like, flavored coffees and stuff.

Kelly: Let's start by discussing soccer. What significance does soccer hold to you?

The defender: I mean, from childhood, it was practically my entire focus in school. I wasn't the brightest kid, and I simply adored playing football.

Kelly: What's your earliest memory of playing? Is this tough to respond to because it represented a big part of your early years and growing up?

James: Not particularly, just because my recollection is so bad. My earliest memory was probably, I don't know, attending matches of my brother play. He is two years older than me, and he used to play as well.

Kelly: It was significant in your household, correct, because your dad was so heavily involved? He is a soccer trainer too, right? Share with me a bit about that.

The athlete: Well we were three of us during childhood. It was completely soccer-obsessed, and he obviously was a coach as well, and we used to train extensively with him.

Kelly: Do you remember many of those training periods? Because I learned that as young as the age of four, you were outside and he conducted exercises with you in the back garden.

James: Yes, I recall - the drills began early. Fortunately, they paid off for myself and my sibling [the club and national team forward his sister].

Kelly: Talk to me about your initial club that you represented as a child, its name, and what can you remember?

The defender: My recollection is limited, to be honest. That was Kew Park Rangers in Kew. I believe I was there for about a year. It was from there that talent spotters noticed me for the professional club.

Kelly: You didn't start as a backline player at first, correct? Explain about your positional journey and its development...

Reece: I began as a striker, and then subsequently moved to the wing, left side, right side, and later to midfield, and then eventually at right-back, and I hated it at the time.

Kelly: Why did you hate it?

Reece: Since I consistently desired to play midfield. There was less involvement with the ball as much but eventually everything fell into place and I became a defender since.

Kelly: You said you began as an attacker - who served as your role model?

James: My idol was [the legendary] Drogba. I was a Chelsea fan growing up and he represented the athlete I admired.

Kelly: Can you think of a pivotal moment in your career - a moment that has influenced your development and the professional you have evolved into?

The defender: I would probably say going on loan. Bridging the gap between academy and first-team football is the hardest and this represents probably what many athletes transitioning upwards find challenging.

Kelly: You're referring to Wigan, naturally. What made was Wigan the right club for you at that period? It was miles away from everything you knew in London - what made it successful so effectively?

Reece: The primary factor is that I featured week in week out, which proves beneficial. I gained a lot of experiences - I moved away from my companions and family and was forced to grow up quickly. Participating on a regular schedule assisted significantly.

Kelly: Who has had the greatest influence on your professional journey?

The athlete: I'd identify [Brazil defender] Thiago Silva. He's almost old enough to be my father and has played at elite standard for many years. He always tried to assist me from the minute he joined and still does, even now he is not here [after leaving the club in 2024].

The host: How specifically would he help you?

Reece: These were little messages away from games. During matches, he would sometimes see things that I perceived alternatively and try and paint a different picture.

Kelly: It must have been nice to meet him recently [during the tournament]?

Reece: It was wonderful to reconnect with him. I'm pleased that his club performed admirably in the tournament [they lost in the semi-finals to eventual winners Chelsea]. It's always good to encounter him.

Kelly: Were you able to go back and replay one match in your professional history, which would you pick?

Reece: If the outcome is going to be the same - it would be the Champions League [final].

Kelly: Other than winning, what made it exceptional about the occasion